Air circulation control for refrigerators



March 27, 1951 E. B. JAEGER 2,546,363

AIR CIRCULATION CONTROL FOR REFRIGERATORS Filed Oct. 19, 1946 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 s%;z' 2 z. a: E

ATTORNEY? March 27, 1951 E. B. JAEGER 2,546,363

AIR CIRCULATION CONTROL FOR REFRIGERATORS Filed Oct. 19, 1946 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 4 p 49 4 in f 9 68' I x t r "50 a 29 I 1 v'i "l;

ATTO RNEYj March 27, 1951 B. JAEGER 2,545,363

AIR CIRCULATION CONTROL FOR REFRIGERATORS Filed Oct. 19, 1946 8 Sheet S -Sheet s INVENTOR March 27, 1951 i B. JAEGER 2,546,363

AIR CIRCULATION CONTROL FDR REFRIGERATORS Filed Oct. 19, 1946 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 WWI/96% ATTORNEYj March 27, 1951 E. B. JAEGER 2,546,363

AIR CIRCULATION CONTROL FOR REFRIGERATORS Filed 061;. 19, 1946 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 ,INVENTOR ATTORNEY5 March 27, 1951 E. B. JJJJ ER 2,546,363

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NNN NN OR March 27, 1951 E. B. JAEGER 2,546,363

AIR CIRCULATION CONTROL FOR REFRIGERATORS Filed Oct. 19, 1946 a Sheets-Sheet v I ATTORNEY/ March 27, 1951 E. B. JAEGER 2,546,363

AIR CIRCULATION CONTROL FOR REFRIGERATORS Filed Oct. 19, 1946 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 JEfgri'f.

I E0!" T4?? ATTORNEY5 Patented Mar. 27, 1951 AIR CIRCULATION CQNTRDLFQR 'BEFRIGERATORS Edward B. Jaeger, ChicagoJll.

Application Qctberl9, 1946, SetialNo. 1704458 6' Claims.

invention relates to improvements in re- 'frigeration and refrigerators, andmore particu larly torefrigeration apparatus including an-insnlated storage compartment or compartments designed to be cooled bybringing cold air into sucheompartmentsfrom outside thereof, as in an arrangement whereby cold air in the atmosphere Qr i l'1 master refrigerating means (that is, a refrigerator having a food compartment space therein designed for containing food articles, and also having a cooling unit of its own,..a means for effective heat exchange of air with a refrigerant .or th m an o c in h r n c nec e re l o indir c ly w th mcan io o cr t ns ol n me ns, s ch as. for ex m l a ot r co p or nit canoe circolatedasrdes r nto a ref i orator compartment of the t pe with which we re her par icula l -.conocrne o etime he icnaite tcrmeda iliar reiris re ns m a s th is, ,a refrigerator ade tedrto be cooled .by bringing 0111 air -.thereinto.

Qneieature that the cooling of .theauxiliary maybe wholly .by controlled air circulation betweenit anda master refrigerator, and this circulation may be forced .or by ravity.

.One purpose of the invention is to permit ,use of cold air from an existing master refrigerator to take ,care of additional required refrigeration within a space which is to be cooled, but not below the temperature of the air in the master refrigerator.

further purpose is to withdraw cold air from a master refrigerator of the so called quick freezing or freezer type, which is capable of maintainingextremely cold temperatures, for example, .l5 F., and deliver it to an auxiliary refrigerator .or refrigerators, so as to maintain temperatures therein comparable to that of a normal, domestic, master refrigerator or if desired, above or below such temperatures.

further purpose is to provide means for securing refrigeration space for food products which require cooltemperatures .but are com parativelyinsensitive to spoilage and hence do notr-equire such low temperatures as are available and are required in master refrigerators, and in which the refrigeration required for the proper use of the auxiliary refrigerator space is secured by means of directair circulation between a master refrigerator and'the added refrigerationspace contemplated.

.A.'further purpose isto provide: means for controlledgravityair circulation between a master refrigerator and two interconnected auxiliary refri gerators, wherein various and isolated ternnco 'e'ture ma be sec edv4A,ffurthe purpose is to provide .a means for controlled air circulation froma master to an u ilia r f erat r.

Aifilfl r purposeisto provide inlet and outlet :air passages from a master refrigerator to an auxiliary refrigerator and to close one or both of these passages through a pressure control or through athermostatically operated control when circulation is not desired,

A further purpose is to provide additional refrigeration from a master refrigerator by means of air circulation 'along'a path between the-master and an auxiliary, controlled by a thermostatin'the auxiliaryandan electric fan or other suction or pressure-pump operating against a resilient force tending to-closethe path.

I maintain a temperature differential between the master and auxiliary, saveon equipment for the auxiliary, both as to cooling unit and as to insulation, etc., and avoid expenditure of energy on ,rneeting temperature conditions which are unnecessary for the intended content. I thus secure and maintain a temperature in the auxi iaijy refrigerator which may be: as low as-that of ",thernaster but which may be higher and,

suitable "for :foods that ,do not require extreme cold.

Further purposes will 7 ap ear in the 'specifloaio and n thecl imsey cferrc to ,illu r t my invention y a'iewr des i orm onl s l t n orm wh toed e tas i ust t the princimes inv lv without attemptin to show all of the different wa in whic th r ri ciple ma b ti zed F u e li a s ction elevat on o a n e r isere orlbox which is pa titi n and ected so asto em d bot master and au ar unctions.

Figure 2 is a horizontal sectional view along Fi ure 4 isa fragmentary section showin a modificationof the valve and pump a r ment Figure. 6. is airagmentary section of Fi ure upon lines {Ii-=6.

Figure 7 is a disassembled perspective of parts een n. F ur ZEie res 1Q, l1,.12,-13,..14,and 5. re p rsp ctiveso refri erators show ng modific t n n mos of w ohp ts arexbroke wayjFigure 10 is a section upon line Hl llI of Figure 110.

Figure 13 is a fragmentaryperspective of a odification .of Figure .13.

Horetofore the accepted electric or ga refri erator was composed of solid, well insulated.

walls. floor and ceiling witha door, located in one Wall and asmall opening ,or openings to permit the entrance of certain refrigeration equi ment such, for example, as tubes containing refrigerant and/or electrical equipment. Each refrigerator normally carried the rest of its own refrigeration unit outside of the insulated space.

It will be evident that the present invention is applicable to gas, electric or any other type of master refrigerator, providing such refrigerator has sufficient refrigeration to properly cool the auxiliary refrigerator.

The present invention provides means and a method of utilizing a certain amount of the cooled air contained in any such refrigerator, which for the purpose of my invention may be termed a master refrigerator for a permissibly separate but connected auxiliary refrigerator and at the same time of controlling the temperature of the auxiliary through a thermostat within the auxiliary and closures for the connections, and of thermostatically operated motor fans or pumps with or without specific means for opening the closures.

It has been common in refrigerators to have compartments in which extra cold or freezing temperatures could be maintained. The remaining space in the refrigerator was su posed to be and practically was of one temperature, which in many cases could be raised or lowered by means of a thermostatically controlled device commonly called a thermostat. The result was that those foods requiring an intermediate but not a very cold temperature, of say 45 to 65 degrees R, such as some vegetables and fruits, smoked meats, etc., were required to endure such low tem eratures as were required for such foods as poultry, fresh ham, fish, etc., or vice versa. In either case there was a waste of refrigeration space. With some candies definite harm would be done, chocolate creams, for example, being given an undesirable bloom.

In many homes and even in places of bu iness, the quantity of foods which require really low temperatures are relatively small as compared with the quantity of foods, etc., which are not readily s oiled but which must be ke t cool as.

distinguished from quite cold. The structures of the fi ures are intended to take care of such installations with a minimum expense for operation and with a decided temperature differential between that of the master refrigerator and that of an auxiliary refrigerator, adapted, primarily for such higher temperatures, used to supplement it. Thermostatic control within the auxiliary causes pumping or forcing of cold air from the master into the auxiliary or opens the passage between them and permits gravity flow when the temperature in the auxiliary exceeds its intended cool temperature. However, notwithstanding this feature of my invention, it is contemplated that the auxiliary refrigerator can be kept at a temperature equal or slightly above, if desired, to the available temperature of any master refrigerator.

Where the likelihood of additional need can be foreseen, a master refrigerator can be purchased at the start with an oversize cooling unit, if desired, and when the needs have expanded, additional refrigeration space, in accordance with the unit, can be added by means seen in some of the figures.

Nearly, if not all, of the existing master refrigerators are capable of supporting the auxiliary refrigerator of this invention with sufficient cold air for its proper or desired operation. Such refrigerators may be divided to advantage, as in Figures 1 and 2, into a master refrigeration section, which shall be capable of cooling to a temperature much lower than is desired for a large part of the intended content, and an auxiliary space requiring higher temperatures for satisfactory operation. The additional refrigerating space comprises auxiliary box capacity having direct air connection with the master refrigerating means, though it may be separated there from. The master refrigerating means is relied upon to supply additional cold air capacity which is circulated to or through the auxiliary refrigcrating means.

In the form of Figures 1 and 2, a structure is shown which, though comprising insulating side walls !5 and [6, rear insulating wall l1, top and bottom insulating walls l8, l9 and 20 and front doors 2! and 22 is in effect divided by insulating partition 23 into two parts 24 and 25, the left compartment or section as seen in Figure l forming the master refrigerator for which the right hand compartment or section is an auxiliary. The master compartment has its own cooling unit shown diagrammatically as a motor 26 and compressor 21, and an expansion cooling chamber 28 connected with the compressor by tubes 29 and 30.

The refrigerator compartment or section 24 is herein treated as a master refrigerator because it is designed to cool and contain food and has an independent cooling element, whereas the compartment or section 25 is treated as an auxiliary refrigerator because it lacks independent cooling means and depends for its cooling wholly upon air circulated from the master refrigerator. It will be noted that this adds to the duty of the cooling element for the master but at a slight additional expense it permits maintenance of a temperature in the auxiliary which is sufficient for a large range of foods, whose cooling requirements are much less critical than the requirements of those for which the master refrigerator is designed.

The air circulation of the refrigerators takes place through one or more openings, passages or conduits, as the two openings 3! and 32 shown in Figure 1, through which air flows as controlled by a thermostat 33 located in the auxiliary to secure and maintain the desired tem perature differential.

In the form of Figures 1, 2 and 3, the thermostat 33 closes a circuit through a motor 34 operating the fan 35. The circuit is shown extending between sources of supply 36 and 36 through the thermostat and the motor. Other figures show other arrangements.

. If the openings 3! and 32 were open all the time the two sections of this refrigerator intended to operate at maintained differential temperatures as master refrigerator and auxiliary refrigerator, respectively, would soon become of approximately the same temperature through circulation due to gravity. For this reason my invention contemplates, wherever gravity air circulation can take place between the two refrigerators, closing the openings, passages or conduits, except when operation of the thermostat takes place due to rise of the temperature in the auxiliary refrigerator above its predetermined temperature.

There are various ways in which circulation. of air between the refrigerators can be limited to those times when the thermostat operates. One

way is shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3. The openings for circulation through the sleeves 31 are closed by plates 38, which are lightly spring pressed tainers. permit.

against rtlmiaexposed :faees so! ithe .-'openings .for closure by pring-.38 :held .zto ztheir .duty .byj izbolts thorough .circulation :in the auxiliary. During the -.operation .of the; motor ethere "would also --be a pressure differential action on the [plate 38' suflicient to. lift .it;from its seat :andpermit afiow throughe-theropening. 3].

.lIn the .two refrigerator sections -..-the shelves .43- tarea-slottedi or otherwise :apertured or reticulated so :as 'to"allow,;.passage of air through them with such freedom as the placing "of the food con- A'I-hesimple circulation outlined is complicated, of course, by the size of the-air .ducts,.the?desired temperature or *range of temperature of the auxiliary, thetemperatureof the masterrefrigerator, the number and length-of timesthe doors and 2| :andthedoor lto thefreezing compartment are opened, the effectiveness of .the insulation and other conditions to whichnormal refrigeration operation. is subjected.

.Itwill .be clear-that theextentand character of heatinsulationzintheform of Figuresl, 2 and 3,, for. example, ,will .normally be adequate for :the master zrefrigerator and might therefore .exceed the standardsrwhich would -.normally be required for .the.auxiliaryzrefrigerator.

In Figure 3 the circuitvclosed bythethermostat in theauxiliary. is passed through a solenoid 4'5. supported .on bracket 46. .flhessolenoidlarmature 41 isconnecteddirectly to the plate 38. The platen-38h thus-positively opened against the resistance of compression spring.39. This thermostat control and positive opening of the closure plate takes place whether amotor .fan such as thatinFigurerabe concurrently energized or not, and thus may .provide .for greater ..flow .of fan drivenairor forsgravityeair flow-.only. The connection 48 can vbe .in parallel with the'connections'to the solenoid but can energize a fan motor such .asseen inEigu're 3 whereby :fan circulation isrelievedof the necessity for moving. of closure plates.

;In.Figure ,4-the structure is essentially the same as.in.Figures,1,.,2. and 3, with thediiference, however, .that the auxiliary refrigerator is a separate unit.having.a separate side wall l5 .which .adjoins-sidewall lfi'andthe openings-between are matched openingsintheside walls l 5'.and 16. The circulation is secured in the" same way by thermostatic closure of .acircuit i through a .fan motoriag'ainstethe vvery light pressure ofearclosure plate 3 8. Thereturn of..the air willpassthrough .a; second lopening .at the top, resiliently, closed by aspringpressedplatefillf. In asimilar manner to Figures f1, .2 and 3 .the assembly adapts itself nicely to gravity circulation in which instance thermostat33 would operate solenoids .to the closure plates or valves, which. in .Eigure ,4. aredesignated; 1 'as"38 and 38'.

The ructureaofiEignre-n.mayjbeused wherea master-refrigerator has 'taken care of the-nee'ds 'of'a user for atimeat a capacityas needed. 'The.

auxiliary refrigerator isgprovi'de'd with a separate door'not shownrcorresponding to "the .door .20 in Figure 1. "Thematche'd openingsithroush which sleeves rearepassed; .11 bepu ini-at tie time that .the auxiliary ;;refrigerator .is added i l preliminarilyhe provided .byinitially closed.

sure means, as outer plates and inner plugs of insulating material, vand insertion of the. sleeves.

Figure 4 is. a fragmentary section corresponding. generally to .Figure l, but omitting -.the baffle and placing a suction pump in the less valuable space of the auxiliary refrigerator. Whilethe suction pump is less forceful for the powerexercised than is-the, pressure type it has anadvantagei in thecentrifugal throwing eifect of the-air by the fan givingbetter distributionof thecoOIer airfrom the master refrigerator overthe adjacent vspaceof the auxiliary refrigeratorwhenthe baffle plate 142 is eliminated. The fan maybe used inthe auXiliar-yin other forms wherever the advantage is desirable, for example, in helpingito distribute the cold air from-the master throughout the auxiliary during the interchange-of-the air by means i of gravity.

Figurefi mayrepresent a new installation as a single unit, comparable with that in Figure 1,.or may represent an addition of an'open faced auxiliary attached to an existing master refrigerator, the auxiliary being open at one-side at"=5l sand the master having a single elongated vertical slot connection 52. In this illustrationuthere-is one communication onlybetweenlthe two refrigerators. This elongated opening houses a fixed frame 53 inwhich adamperdfi is-pivotedat 55. The damper is turned, by an arm 56 so that edges 51 andtt of-the swinging dampen will seal against or be free from therims 59::and8lhaboutthe openingin the frame. The damper :turnsonpins 6E. The arm 5-5 is sp-ring biased .lightlyat 62 (Figure 6) normally to close. 33 connects a source of current throughsolenoid 63 to draw the armature--64 and tilt the damper, permitting cold air of the masterrefrigerator to move, by gravity, into the auxiliary.

Much the same-effect can be secured by two such openings, as are seen in Figure 1 or in..Figure 4, with dampers Whiehare spring biasedtowards closure, but whichmay be-each-separately drawn open by separate solenoids as inFigure 3%, the circuit .being closed by thesanie thermostat or .by separate thermostats, the airflow .beingby gravity oruby a thermostatically energized fan or otherair pump.

It will be noted-that in.-Figure 5 there. is no motor for the air circulation and that with thermostatic control to open the passage or ipassages, gravityactuationof this form of my invention is feasible. Separate check valve control by thermostat. and solenoidfor individual platesand actuation by gravity flow, or for .usein connection with a pump, is seenin Figure 3 In-theparticular-embodiment of .my invention .illustrated..,inlFigure. 8 ,a conventional .master re! ,late'd walls as providing..an .inner auxiliary (food 1 storage chamber 66a which n aylbeprovided; with shelves 651) having openings therein topermlt circulation of, air.

Interconnectingjpassageways, between the aux.-

. iliary and master refrigerating compartment be ings "-50 such :as are shown .Figure ..10,con-- veniently located for removal of temporary 010- The thermostat tages.

are provided by spaced openings in the top thereof having the sleeves em and fill) therein. Power air circulating means is here shown as comprising pump means including a motor Eda and fan 68!), operation being controlled by a thermostat 69.

This form of my invention has several advan- In the first place, where space alongside the-refrigerator is at a premium, it provides additional auxiliary food storage space without requiring additional floor space. Another advantage of this form is that no positive closure means are required, positive control of ai circulation being accomplished by the relative position of the master auxiliary and the provision of the fan or pump means. When the fan is not operating there is no tendency toward gravity circulation of the air, since the air in the auxiliary is warmer than that in the master, and the two bodies of air stratify, with no circulating currents being set up. Thus there is a positive cessation or prevention of gravity circulation when no further cooling effect in the auxiliary is desired. On the other hand, when the fan is started by control action of the thermostat 68, there is a tive circulation and in cooling of the auxiliary storage compartment until the desired temperature is reached and the thermostat shuts off the fan, whereupon no further circulation takes place.

While the motor is shown as directly operated by the thermostat for purposes of simplicity, it will be understood that in practice the thermostat would generally control a motor relay which would in turn control. the relatively heavy current flow to the motor, so that a light thermostat might be used, although a direct connection is perfectly satisfactory when a heavy duty thermostat is used.

Wherever the conditions make speed or considerable volume of air movement a desideratum, an air pump, such as an electric fan may be used along with a check valve or with damper or louver means at each openin which may be pressure opened or opened by thermal closure of a solenoid circuit, as desired. It is of course understood that such valves or dampers are only of particular necessity where gravity circulation of air would take place without their use.

It should. be understood that wherever the law of natural air flow is applicable to cause a natural interchange of air between the master and auxiliary refrigerators, the use of a motor and fan or other means of forced air flow is not necessary, but, in every such case, where the com partment space of both refrigerator are equal or nearly equal'in height and depth and where the passageway or passageways connecting the two are properly located for gravit circulation, in the first place at or near the ceiling and in the second place at or near the floor, an equalization of temperature between the two refrigerators would result unless the natural air flow was stopped. The intervention is best accomplished by means of a thermostatic solenoid operated valve, a fan opened, spring closed valve, or other' po wer controlled closure of the openings, such as shown, for example, in Figure 3 Factors which, among others, normally affect gravity air circulation between the master and auxiliary refrigerators are the size, location and length of the passages, the time element, whether readjustment must take place quickly or may be left to quite gradual settlement, and the fre quency of opening the master and the auxiliary.

In'Figure 9 the conditions are those of Figure 4, except that the refrigerators are spaced apart far enough to require conduits for their air connections. The motor 34 is controlled by a thermostat 33. Accumulated pressure in the auxiliary finally opens the spring closures in the conduits.

The fact that the conduit in Figure 9 are without insulation is not intended to indicate that they are necessarily very short as the connections between the two refrigerators will nec- 75 refrigerator will be operated during the defrost-" essarily be determined as to length, diameter and installation, whether there bea pump at the lower conduit, only, as indicated, or a pressure or suction pump at the approximate end of the upper conduitof course, thermostatically operated-by the condition of the case and the position where the two refrigerators most conveniently can be located, etc.

In the perspective of Figure 10 a refrigerator is shown that may be either a master or an auxiliary refrigerator. It is provided with initial openings 50 which have been temporarily closed by plates 13 and ill as shown in Figure 10 which is a cross section on line l0**lll. The purpose and eifect of the openings and plates is to facilitate the addition of an auxiliary refrigerator to a master refrigerator or a master refrigerator to an auxiliary refrigerator, as the case may be, by olferin ready made, alternate positions for such additions with either the sides, back, top or bottom, the openings of which are correspondingly located.

When it is the intention to mount two of such It will be evident that the present inventionv is applicable to gas refrigerators as well as to electric refrigerators, so as to enlarge refrigeration facilities by ultimate additions of auxiliary refrigerators. or not the refrigerators are installed, using power opening of valves between them to permit gravity air circulation and a thermostat to operate such valves through solenoid action, or pressure as well as suction pumping of air through the connection or through each of the connections provided, with thermostat control of such pumping, with such suction or pressure opening said valves, all as may be desired to provideair circulation between the master and the auxiliary refrigerators, or between the refrigerator and the outdoor air.

It will be evident that the present invention has very considerable advantages during the defrosting of a master refrigerator, since the auxiliary refrigerator affords a convenient and proper storage space for food from the master refrig erator, when at the start of the defrosting process the auxiliary refrigerator is cooled to a much lower temperature than that at which the master Whether originally planned amassi'nge in fact equal or about equal to that or the master before the defrosting process was started;

This permits the auxiliary to be used in place of I the master'a'nd with about the same effect, dur ing the defrosting of the master; For this--pu-rpose; the-food is transferred from the master to the auxiliary,- the thermostatic control -is-then ad justed-"to cu-t downany' diiieren-tial between the refrigerators; that is,- to make the auxiliarythe same or nearly the same temperatureasthe-masterunder normal operation. Thefood is keptinthe auxiliaryrefrigerator during the deirostingperiod; the thermostatic'control being turnedup high enough to prevent anyinterchange--'of air between the units during the period" of deirosting ofz the master; The master is then made opera tive to its normal temperature the; food is re turned from thexauxiliary and the operation of: the: master and: auxiliary :together is. resumed.

Different users-, of" course; will have d-iiterent ideas. as to the temperature atwhich'.anauxiliaryrefrigerator should operate and the-same ad-' justability of. the thermostat. just referred to makes my inventiomsatisfactory to usershaving Widely different.ideasiregarding. thetemperature difierential, if any, which ,shouldlbe. maintained between. the;masterrrefrigerator and the auxiliary' int: normal operation Because of thesrelatively hightemperatures at l which the. auxiliary refrigeratorssmay be oper, ated; and the; comparatively smallv difference in 1 temperature between their: contents; and? the at mospheric temperatureuofvthe rooms. in which. they-will be: operated, thezinsulationnneeds of the auxiliary reirigeratorrwilllnot be exacting and containerszhavingq. inferior; type of insulating: walls maybei'used Figures: 11, 12,1.13 .14 and,.15; arerperspectivew views: of; different deta-ilslof structure" in. which master refrigerators ot. thesflquickefreezingfi type are :usedwithan'eadjacent structure in .each case 1. serving as an auxiliary refrigerator.

It will be: noted :that there 1 are marked similarities vbetweenlthe:structuressot Figures .11 to. 15, and .theapreceding; structures;- notwithstand ing; that Figures; l1.rto ;=:emph'asize .master re-"- frigeratorsrhayingtuuicklfreezing features. While this has notnbeeni emphasized. in the earliere structures, ,it couldlbe =present in sthem.

In thestr-ucturesfof Figuresclllto 15.Ithe:freez-- ingr cabinets act: as :master: refrigerators in: that they are designed :to contain foodandihaveeoolingunitssoftheir owmn The... cold air is taken fromlthem to COOIItihECOIItBIltSESOf anauxiliary'. refrigerator orirefrigerators amd because'of the lower: freezing. temperatures: made possible}; inv such master r refrigerators, in many instancesxas 1 low'as1-15? F., the temperatureof itheauxiliary refrigerator can be easily maintained: to thew equal of any domestic household: master refrigerator; of, for example; a freeZingr or lower. than freezing'temperature and such an arrangement makes possible amore versatile auxiliary refrigorator.

The master refrigerator of the quick freezing type or freezing cabinettype are used commonly inserving meats and ice cream commercially-and for freezing foodsin the home. They may or may not be of a large-capacity, but-have the ca pability of 'not'onlyfreezing' foods but of maintaining themfin freezing condition or refreezing them;

In Figure 1 lithe master refrigerator '1 I aiiords" a base forend'portions '12 and 13 of theauxiliary refrigerator" 14;

tion.

recognized in domestic master-refrigerators, such" as'had 'been dealt with chiefly in the earlier partof this case or may substantially duplicate iii" temperature ranges, the auxiliary refrigerator dealt with heretofore-in this specification.- Withdrawal from the master refrigerator under ther mostatie control, withdrawal'fromthe pedestal also under thermostatic '-control and in general the speed of feed of. the airin' its passagefrom one end of the auxiliary to the other may be:

used largely to control the temperatures available;

In. Figure 11, either or'both-ends of' the pedese talsmay be provided withfioors such as are shown at Ft in the left pedestal and at 18 at an: intermediate pointv in the right pedestal, the-'- -fioors being pro-videdi-f desired, with thermo statically opened control checks T9and8fl sucli= as are. shown in Figure 3 Gravity J circulation:- cannot takeplace where the air below-the -aux iliary is cold and the auxiliary air is warm-so air vcirculation must-be forced by: pressure air pump or induced by what becomes a suction air pumpo 8-3 when considered with respect tethe -air con trol valve 88; However-theapump 3i whichlis a pressure pump with regard to the 'middle section 1 of the upperstructure: auxiliary refrigerator as shown, would be a suction pump if applied to the upper face-of check valve ora pressure pump if applied to thelower face;

If it be the-intention to use-the compartment '82' above the fioor- I8 efiectively as partrofzthe:

auxiliary and'to include thespacen83 and thez compartments 8' 8, 85 and 86; all accessible to doors 31, 88 and 89, the pumping'mechan-ism'for effecting. air circulation can be disposed,- preferably, at the floors-1T andl8 or'may beroperated atthe vertical walls 90- andilSi. For the purpose of suggesting this, valves-haveibeen-showman 19-and;92 on the-one side and 8uandi93ionrthef:

other side, the temperatureeat SZ being SubjectJ to thermostatic'control.

It will be evident that'the thermostaticiregu lators may be located: Where a particular 'tema peraturemay be considered vital or where th'ee temperature to which tha-regulators are set i's considered typical in the: normal auxiliary" re=- frigerationuse; The thermostat regulatorshould?v have arange fromthe minimum temperature 'otthe master refrigerator to themaximumtema perature desired" in the. auxiliary refrigerator; as

- in the neighb'orhood'of 20 to 70- F.) Withinyvhiclr range adjustments maybe made: on :the other hand where there is no '-intention ofmakingthe adjustment of the auxiliary temperature provide"- for' use of the auxiliary to serve as=master-re-- -frigerator during defrosting or at other times,

there is no reason why standard"equipment-can not be determined; upon which will serve the'bulk' of the demand without necessity for adjustment?" Obviously therecanbe types not only to'serveas auxiliaries with standard master refrigerators and without necessity for adjustment but 'there" can'also be standard structures'of th'e"general'- form of quick freezing' 'types; as shown in Figures ll'to 15 where very'different temperature'ranges Theend portions'lz and 13 75are accon'unodated without"necessity for adjust ll? ment of the thermostat and to be used in connection with quick freezing types of master refrigerators. It is clear that each of these different situations comes within th teaching of this invention, notwithstanding that different specific needs are served.

The master refrigerator 'II in Figure 11 is of a well known type of quick freezing unit, having a plurality of lids or covers 94 in connection with whose use the auxiliary refrigerator may cooperate to advantage. It should be understood that where various temperatures in the several compartments of the auxiliary refrigerator are not desired, the walls 90 and 9| may be left out along with valves I9 and 80 and the thermostatically controlled motor and fan 8| may be located at an aperture in the floor 7'! or I8. The opposite floor as the case may be, would be made accessible to air flow through an aperture or through a floor composed of lattice or wire mesh or other air-passable construction. If an aperture, which is the most desirable form of opening, is provided, the diameter of the aperture should preferably be about 75% smaller than the diameter of the motor fan inlet. Such an arrangement is desirable wherever forced air circulation between the master and auxiliary refrigerators is resorted to, the object being to create better equalization of the temperature in the auxiliary through the added pressure induced and to use this pressure in the auxiliary and the resultant added vacuum created in the master refrigerator as an increased means of opening resilient spring valves whenever it is thought advisable to use such valves to control the apertures.

In Figure 12 the auxiliary refrigerator is composed of the longitudinal body 91 and the vertical supports 95 and 96 all accessible through doors 98. The pump 99 is controlled by thermostat IOI. It is to be noted that a single passageway is formed through the two vertical supports and the longitudinal body.

In Figure 13 the auxiliary refrigerator is shown as accessible to doors corresponding, generally, to the structure in Figure 12. Air inlet and outlet openings are at heads at the two ends, the one head being shown at I02. Of the four supports shown for the auxiliary, two are shown at diagonal corners as providing connections for passage of air, up in I03 and down in I04. The corner posts I05 are shown as blind. Air circulation is shown as due to air pump I06 operated by the closing of an outside circuit through the electric motor by means of thermostat I01. The grids or shelves I09, while supporting articles, permit free passage of air through the shelves to pass the articles.

Where the master refrigerator, containing as it does very cold air, lies Wholly below the warmer auxiliary, there is no need for check valves against air circulation at the openings therebetween, unless it is contemplated to lower the temperature of the auxiliary and raise the temperature of the master, as in the defrosting process explained heretofore. It would therefore be optional as to whether check valves should or should not be used.

An auxiliary which may correspond, generally, with that in Figure 13 may be supported by one ormore vertical plates at each end. Where two plates IIO as shown in Figure 13 are used, they are located at opposite sides of the conduits or single conduit atthat end, I03 or I04. The conduits are thus protected by the plates. All support posts or passages through which air aired-'- lation is contemplated should, preferably, be as well insulated as the auxiliary refrigerator, which should, preferably, be sufficiently insulated for the purpose of its use.

In Figure 14 I show a master refrigerator of the quick freezing type, at the left, which is well known in the art, and a connected auxiliary refrigerator of this invention, at the right. While I show a motor-fan H2 at the top aperture connecting the auxiliary to the master refrigerator, the arrangement is, nevertheless, an ideal one for gravity air circulation between the two refrigerators, one in which the motor-fan forced air circulation may be eliminated.

Explaining the gravity air circulation arrangement, I connect thermostat III to solenoids H4 and H t operating check valves H3 and H3, it being understood that the check valve II3= and solenoid II I would replace the motordriven fan arrangement II2 where circulation was to be entirely of the gravity type.

While the primary purpose of the auxiliary refrigerator is to protect foods that require temperatures which may be higher than that contained in master refrigerators, thereby consuming but very little cold air from the connected master refrigerator, it is evident that the auxili ary can be equalized in temperature with the master refrigerator. It is also evident that, through valve manipulation controlling the passageways of air circulation between the master and auxiliary and particularly so when the position of the refrigerators, one to the other, is such as to enable gravity circulation of air between them and especially when such circulation can be obtained at the lower space of the refrigerators, various temperatures from the low of the master refrigerator to the higher temperatures desired for auxiliary refrigeration operation can be secured in a single auxiliary refrigerator.

It is desirable at times and for various reasons to relieve the master refrigerator, particularly when such refrigerators have been designed for quick freezing of foods, of some of their contents, but to keep the foods removed in a frozen condition. The auxiliary refrigerator, such as shown, for example, in Figure 14: can be used to accomplish this purpose, presuming that the master refrigerator with which it is in contact is refrigerated by a quick freezing unit. The valve II3 can be thermostatically regulated by thermostat III through solenoid H4 to permit cold air to be circulated from the master to the lower compartment space of the auxiliary so as to enable frozen food to be contained in the space to which this cold air is confined, to remain in a frozen condition.

While the upper space of the auxiliary can be used in a similar manner and for the same purpose, it might be more desirable to maintain a higher temperature there, for foods which are not to be kept in a frozen condition, as by provision of an additional higher unperforated shelf tending to stratify the air in the auxiliary.

In Figure 15 an inner compartment, opening at the top is shown within an outer compartment or auxiliary refrigerator. A motor and fan H5 with a solenoid IIIi operating a check valve H6 is shown controlled by thermostat III. A spring-pressed check valve may be used in place of I I6 thus eliminating solenoid I I6. With the described valve, thermostatically operated, applicant can have a temperature at the bote se-etom space" of the auxiliary such as normally presentrin domestic master refrigerators or lower. t? desiredi: The. mot rr anlve arran ement .of; the; higher duct can have-the desired tern;-

ne iature for the upper space thermostatically cQntrolled wh le. the. temperature. of the. lower paceof. the auxiliary can. becontrolled thermostatically by. a. valveesolenoid permitting the owerduct to operate. under; gravity controlled circu a n. andv whichwouldv permit of a cool and. a. cold space.

In Eigure 15.. thermostatically. controlled. air pump. tint 011683.311 from the. inner com-part: ment .1 18,; which may be througha concurrently opened. control valve l.l3e, as in; Figure. 3%,.relieving: the-pressure withinthespace I I9 so as toinduce alfiow of cold air, through thethermostatically opened. check. valve. H6 up through thelside passage I213. A thermostat is shown at I l1 and the solenoid opening means for the valve H6 may correspond with that shown in Figure 3*.

It will be evident that there is an advantage in locating an air pump, whether of pressure or suction type, within the path of air circulation and that the exact position of the pump is less important than that it shall be somewhere within the intended flow. For example, presuming that the only duct connecting the master to the auxiliary refrigerator was the passageway controlled by valve H6 in turn controlled by thermostat II'I through solenoid llli with the motor-fan operated concurrently with the valve H6, by means of thermostat H1. In this arrangement the motor-fan could be located on the floor of the outer compartment, preferably in such a position as to force the cold air entering the auxiliary through the passageway by means of gravity circulation, upwards We would then accomplish through motor-fan distribution of cold air an equalized temperature throughout the auxiliary refrigerator.

It is also evident that the flow of cold air may be pumped through openings without check valves or other air passage control where reliance for control can be placed upon the fact that the cold air cannot circulate except as it is lifted upwards by pump or other force and where gravity circulation of this cold air afterwards is not possible or if not possible is not objectionable. I also provide for gravity circulation through openings which are guarded by check valves but in which the check valves are opened and held open electrically to permit gravity circulation, opened and held open for fan (pump) circulation, or in which the opening of the check valve is effected by the pressure created by the fan itself and all to a predetermined temperature in the auxiliary refrigerator.

It will be evident that in the distribution of the pumps, thermostats and passages, with or without thermostatic operation, a very nice adaptation of the invention to any particular needs may be made by placing the thermostat or thermostats in that or those positions within the path of flow which for the particular installations are deemed to be most critical.

It will be evident that the relative heights of the master refrigerator to the auxiliary refrigerator makes forced air circulation imperative where the auxiliary is too high as it pertains to the master to utilize or properly utilize gravity air circulation.

It will be evident that capacity andvolume of air to be handled on the one hand and speed and c'r'pera'tioii required on} the otheraffect th selection of the circulatorymeans'. and thediam Changes, therefore, in the construction and" arrangement may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as disclosed in the appended; claims.

I claim":

1'. Refrigerating apparatus including: a master refrigerator having a cooling unit;.an auxil= iary refrigerator lacking a cooling unit'and comnl lnicating with the master refrigerator; a resilient closure for the communication betweenthe twoirefrigerators; an electrically operated pump adapteci'to overcome the closing pressure of the closure and cause flow of air between the refrigerators; and, a thermostat in the auxiliary refrigerator controlling the operation of the pump.

2. In a refrigerating system; a cooling unit; a compartment cooled directly by said unit; an auxiliary compartment, there being apertures between the two compartments; spring closing means between the compartments for closing the apertures, adapted to open in the direction of desired air flow; and an electrically operated pump causing flow from the main compartment to the auxiliary compartment against the spring pressure; and thermostatic means in the auxiliary compartment for controlling operation of the pump, whereby the temperature in the auxiliary compartment may be maintained above that in the main compartment, with flow of cooled air therebetween to maintain this temperature.

3. Refrigerating apparatus including: a master refrigerator having a cooling unit; an auxiliary refrigerator lacking a cooling unit, there being passages between them at different levels for flow of cool air from the master refrigerator to the auxiliary refrigerator and return; spring closure means in one of the passages preventing gravity air flow between the two refrigerators; an electrically operated pump causing fiow of cool air between the refrigerators overcoming the pressure of the spring closure; and a thermostat in the auxiliary refrigerator controlling the operation of the pump, said thermostat and pump being adapted to be connected to a source of electrical supply.

4. Refrigerating apparatus including: a master refrigerator having a cooling unit; an auxiliary refrigerator lacking a cooling unit, there being passages between the two; a damper in one of the passages resiliently closing the passage; an electrical pump for causing flow of air through the passage to push the damper open and cause flow of air between the two refrigerators; a thermostat in the auxiliary refrigerator; and connections for the thermostat adapted to be connected to a source of current for starting and stopping the pump.

5. Refrigerating apparatus including: a master refrigerator compartment having a cooling unit; an auxiliary refrigerator compartment lacking a cooling unit and communicating with the master compartment; a closure for the communication between the two compartments, said closure being normally urged to closed position; an electrically operated pump adapted to overcome the closing pressure of the closure and cause flow of air between the compartments; and

15 a thermostat in the auxiliary compartment for controlling the operation of the pump.

6. Refrigerating apparatus including: a master refrigerator compartment having a cooling unit; an auxiliary refrigerator compartment lacking a cooling unit and communicating with the master compartment; a closure for the communication between the two compartments, a solenoid mounted adjacent said closure; 3, single member providing a direct connection between said solenoid and closure to move said closure bodily in a straight line upon energization of said solenoid; pumping means by which air from the master compartment is circulated within the auxiliary compartment; and thermostat means for controlling the energization of the solenoid and pump when the temperature of air in the auxiliary compartment rises above a predetermined value.

EDWARD B. J AEGER.

REFERENCES CITED Number 16 UNITED STATES PATENTS;

Name Date Walsh Nov. 3, 1931 Sellman May 23, 1933 Heydthausen Oct. 31, 1933 Sekyra May 12, 1936 Bird May 26, 1936 Hastings July 11, 1939 Flamm Sept. 3, 1940 Schmidt Nov. 19, 1940 Cumming Oct. 21, 1941 Lowell July 21, 1942 Earle Mar. 2, 1943 Borgerd Apr. 11, 1944 Dailey Jan. 22, 1946 Elliott Jan. 21, 1947 Wyeth July 6, 1948 Passman Feb. 22, 1949 Green Apr. 19, 1949 

